Last month, Michigan passed a bill prohibiting out of state wine shipments, and online retailer wine.com pickup up its toys and left the playground in protest. In 2008, Illinois consumers, who formerly had that right, were partially stripped of it. I've mentioned the Web site Free the Grapes on here before, where you can write to your legislators, and wanted to pass along another resource if you care about direct shipping rights for consumers. The Illinois Wine Consumer Coalition is working to educate Illinois consumers on how their right to buy wine has been infringed upon by lawmakers. According to the website,
"Prior to passing HB 429, the bill that stripped consumers of their 15 year-long right to buy wine from out-of-state retailers, wine clubs, Internet retailers and auction houses, Illinois alcohol distributors gave $50 million dollars to state politicians. Illinois alcohol distributors were the primary advocates of stripping consumers of their right to buy from out-of-state retail sources. Their interests were protected since now Illinois wine consumers only have access to wines from retail sources that Illinois alcohol distributors supply."
It seems like a no-brainer that U.S. citizens should have free choice in the consumer marketplace, but it always comes down to money. Wondering about your own state laws? Check out this state-by-state guide.
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